Think Inside the Box

Let’s face it, if you like to be on the other end of the spoon with your mouth wide open, choosing the right gift for that gourmet girlfriend or gentleman can be a daunting task. You know who I’m talking about, she’s the friend who takes that basic recipe and can put her own amazing spin on it. And he’s the one you rely on for the best restaurant recommendations. What would make the perfect gift? And no, it’s not another Williams Sonoma gift card! Food subscription boxes are on the rise and with a bunch to choose from, you’ll be that cool person that your foodie friend will worship.

For the Gentleman Gourmand:

As the name suggests, it’s the “modern man’s pantry.” Featured by the Huffington Post, NBC and the Food Network, to name a few, this monthly subscription brings forth a perfectly curated box with some of the best artisanal American products around.

What’s inside the box?
Here’s an example of a past box called “Campfire Cookout.” It included a selection from local producers from California to Vermont: brew bread, coffee rub, brittle, salsa, cured bacon
and sausage.

For the Worldly Palate:

Founded by travel enthusiasts Kat Vorotova and David Foult, it was their love of discovering new cultures that brought about the idea for starting the company. Each box offers a discovery platform brought forth by local experts from each country. Subscribers can indulge in some of the flavors of exciting cities, like Tokyo, Paris and Istanbul, without a plane ticket.

What’s inside the box?
The first box that you will receive is the Paris box with 7-10 items, including French sugar crust cookies, fleur de sel cultivated from Southern France, hammam tea to pay tribute to the country’s tea culture and chestnut cream from
the Ardèche region.

For the Trendy Gourmet:

Named “Top Pick” in food subscriptions by Yahoo!, each box is a selection of the newest artisan foods from independent food producers from across the country. There’s no curated theme with each box, but a lovely cross-section of flavors are offered to satisfy many palates.

What’s inside the box?
Expect ingredients in hipster-type packaging that evoke a vintage flare. The items will challenge and intrigue the subscriber with such ingredients like rosemary mayonnaise, black powder salt and coffee syrup.

For the Serious Home Cook:

Founded by culinary duo Jake Ahles and Max Block, the idea sprung from their epicurean love and being part of an emerging new culture of food production in America. But what is so awesome about this subscription are the recipes with each box and the online videos from featured chefs using the ingredients in the box. Members also get dibs on exclusive culinary events hosted by featured chefs or the producers.

What’s inside the box?
October’s box featured Chef Jenn Louis, James Beard Award -winner, chef and owner of Lincoln Restaurant and Sunshine Tavern in Portland, Oregon. The ingredients in the box included a curry pumpkin pesto, verde hot sauce, whole grain quinoa, wild mayhaws jelly and pickled ginger carrots. Plus, her video teaches the subscribers how to make other delicous seasonal recipes through online videos.

About the author

Kimberley Cuachon Haugh

Kimberley Cuachon Haugh has a passion for fashion and food, "Look good. Eat well," is her philosophy. She is the owner of Kimberley Ashlee Catering where she uses seasonal and sustainable ingredients for her clients in Hampton Roads and Pittsburgh. Find her: kimberleyashleecatering.com | Follow her: @bookkacatering & fb.com/kimberleyashleecatering